Generosity, the Most Natural Gift

Guest Author - Meredith Ball

The most natural gift we can give is one of love, kindness, caring and compassion. All of these gifts come naturally from each of us so these gifts are easy to give. There are several examples of these types of generous gifts. And, generosity is contagious as well. The idea of pay it forward automatically happens after you give generous gift.

The gift of love is as simple as a hug. A hug for a family member or friend when they are feeling sad immediately lifts their spirits. A hug to others show them right away how much you love them. A warm embrace can mean the world to a friend who hasnít received a hug in awhile, or to an elder who may not have many family members. It is so simple to reach out and hug someone to show your love for them.

Kindness comes as naturally as love. A generous gift of kindness can include sharing your garden grown vegetables with a neighbor. Or, making a batch of soup for a sick friend. Volunteering at a local soup kitchen or hospital to help to make others feel better and cared for are easy and rewarding ways to be generous and kind. If you enjoy a particular hobby, show your kindness for a particular group of people in need by fundraising via that hobby. For example, run a race to raise money for cancer research, or hold a knit-a-thon to raise money for a childrenís hospital and then donate the blankets everyone knits to children at a domestic violence shelter.

Care comes in many forms. Showing someone care can take the most simple form, such as a smile. All cultures and languages know and understand a smile. It is remarkable how a smile toward one brings on a smile in return. It is even more remarkable to see the instantaneous smiles from people when they see a baby smile or laugh. Care for everyone we sees spreads that care beyond us.

Compassion is the ultimate form of a generous gift. It means that one can feel empathy toward others who are struggling or in pain. Showing kindness to others when they are happy and feeling well is much easier than helping one in need. For example, it is more of a challenge to stop and offer aid to a homeless person than to a neighbor we know well. Yet, everyday, despite the challenge, people lend a hand, a meal and a smile to those in need. Indeed, those in need may very well be our neighbors, or even be us one day. All it takes is a moment or two to help a person who needs an arm to cross the street or a dollar to buy a sandwich. Embracing those opportunities to provide compassion is giving the most generous parts of our spirits and hearts.

There are countless ways to help, and here is one - a link to support my race; all funds go to a great charity that supports children and families in great need.